April 11, 2012

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LEWISBURG, Pa. — Bucknell University students are working with the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA) on the third annual fund-raising project in memory of two local children who drowned in the Susquehanna River in August 2009.

The fundraiser will be a 5K fun run/walk and Zumbathon on Sunday, April 22, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Gerhard Fieldhouse at Bucknell.

Assunda Rotolo, 11, of Lewisburg, and her cousin, Les Davis Jr., 8, of Mifflinburg, were playing in the river near the Lewisburg Bridge when the accident occurred.

"Every child deserves to have a fun and safe summer activity to enjoy. I am so happy to be involved in a project which gives this type of opportunity to children in the community," said Bucknell graduate student Chelsea Smith. "We're pleased to continue the fundraising project in memory of Assunda and Les."

On-site registration will begin at 9:15 a.m. on April 22. Registration fee is $10. Workout towels are included with the registration fee, for the first 400 registrants.

Donations also are being accepted for the Pool Pass Project. Checks can be made out to LARA Pool Pass Fund and mailed directly to LARA at 629 Fairground Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

"We have continued to stay in contact with both Assunda and Les' parents, and they are both very pleased that the memory of their children is still honored with a program that they both would have enjoyed so much," said Sue Ellen Henry, associate professor of education at Bucknell.

Students in Henry's multiculturalism and education class study the inequalities that exist around the world and within the local community, and began the Pool Pass project to address some of those inequalities. Last year, 16 local families received pool passes. All families make a financial contribution toward the cost of their pass.

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